LOLZLetter Edition 33 | How to Save Money on Running
Welcome!
From the Berlin Marathon to the World Championships in Doha, to local races, it was a big race weekend. If you raced, I hope you met your goals. Coming off an injury, I did not (which means I can save a $$ this weekend ;).
Anyway, one of the most common questions asked for blogging and the newsletter is, “How can I save money with running?” While running is one of the cheaper sports out there, gear, technology, and racing quickly add up. Always keep in mind, you don't have to run. No one is forcing you and for most of us, it isn't paying the bills.
Not only do you make time for what you want to do, but you also budget appropriately for what you want to do. It's like budgeting for anything else. Budgeting is essential to make time for hobbies you want to do.
So Can You Save Money with Running?
At Races:
Racing is one of the most expensive components of running. These days most 5ks cost over $25 and many half marathons are above $100.
Look at Your Options: If there are two races the same weekend and you aren't married to either, do the cheaper one. Simply spending 10 minutes of googling options can help save money. I've found small half marathons that cost $65 to register the week of the race.
Run Local: Seems obvious, right? Running at local races also prevents paying extra money on gas, hotels and even meals the night before. Local races are a lot less expensive too! Traveling to my neighborhood 5k and supporting a local cause, is a lot cheaper than traveling 300 miles to a highly competitive 5k.
Sign up for Races Early: Many races cost 5-10 dollars less if you sign up the Thursday before versus at race day registration. Yes, I’m as guilty as anyone for waiting last minute, but every $5 does count.
Check Out Brochures at Your Local Running Store: Sometimes race directors will drop off special coupons/discount codes at the local stores. We have plenty of race directors that do that at our store!
Read Blogs or Google Races: Sometimes just putting X race coupon code into google will yield a discount code. This can also be said about saving money with a lot of different products. Races and products are trying to promote online and many bloggers have coupon codes!
Follow Races on Social Media: Most races promote via social media. Typically, they do post coupon codes and sales for their races.
Pace a Race or Volunteer: Many races allow you to pace for a free entry. Or sometimes if you pace/volunteer at a race, you'll get a free entry later down the road to use for yourself.
If You Travel, Bring Friends: If you're traveling somewhere, bring friends to split the cost of gas and a hotel.
Finally, Remember Every 5 dollars Counts: I keep a spreadsheet of the money I've saved on road races and it makes me feel *somewhat better* about the amount of racing I do. If you save $5 on each road race and run 15, that is 75 dollars. That is enough for a few more races!
How Can You Save Money with the Sport of Running?
Running isn't the most expensive sport out there. A good pair of running shoes cost between $100-200, but that's the only equipment you *really* need. Back in my day (haha) we didn't have GPS watches and didn't need the latest $100 shirt.
Here are a Few Ways to Save Money:
Nutrition:
Buy in bulk: Most nutrition is cheaper if you buy a package of 12 gels vs one at a time. Make sure you will actually consume the amount because throwing away the product isn't cheap.
Homemade: Try your hand at homemade energy gels and bars. Since most gels and energy sources are $2, each making your own can save a lot of money. No Meat Athlete shares a few recipes.
Running Shoes:
The most costly part of your endeavor.
Buy Last Year’s Model: Last year’s shoes are typically 20% off (including at your local running store). I don't advise buying older than a year because when a shoe sits and deteriorates in a warehouse, it won't last as long. There is a reason that a four-year-old $120 shoe is only $30...you won't get the same mileage out it. When you stockpile a shoe, the longer the shoe sits, the less it lasts.
Don't Be Picky about Color: Who cares about running shoe color anyway? Seriously the less picky you are about color, the more likely you will find a shoe you like on sale.
Wear Your Shoes Only for Running: Can you wear your shoes for other things? Yes. Will it decrease the length your running shoe lasts, also yes. You can find a cheap pair of kick-around shoes and make your running shoes last much longer.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask: A lot of local running stores have a loyalty program or discounts. Don't be afraid to ask if there is a sale or deal on your favorite pair of shoes. Plus shopping local helps everyone.
Running Clothing:
Invest in Quality Clothing: Cotton is rotten, but investing in quality clothing is expensive at first, but you aren't buying it every year. That lime green jacket from 4 years ago is the same lime green jacket this year.
Take Care of Your Clothing: Wash your technical fabrics in cold water and hang dry. This extends the life of running clothing significantly.
Buy Last Season: the same basic pieces of running clothing exist from year to year. At the end of the summer, purchase summer running clothing on sale. (Same with the end of winter).
The moral of the story is planning and strategizing for running and races can save a lot of money. If you research and see what is available near you, often it's a lot easier to save. It doesn’t have to be months or even weeks in advance. I’ve found coupon codes the week before a race, just by searching.
What’s Keeping Me Entertained?
Clean Sport Collective: Alysia Montaño, 6-time US 800m Champion and World Bronze Medalist
Interesting article about why the World Championships for Track and Field is being hosted in Quater. The marathon was raced in “feels like” temperatures of 100+ degrees. Unofficially 25 out of 67 marathon runners DNFed.
Speaking of Quater, it was a good weekend for NJ Natives:
Roberta Groner Conquers ‘Brutal’ Marathon at World Championships
Marielle Hall: Finding Her Rhythm in the 10,000 Meters: Hall, who grew up and graduated from Haddonfield High School, set a PR by 32 seconds and was the first American in the 10k. She’s come to RunningCo., a few times when she lived local and she was always so nice.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has shared!
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Any feedback, good or bad, is always helpful. Is there a specific topic you want to see more about? Don’t be a stranger and let me know.
You can email me at FueledbyLOLZ@gmail.com. All feedback is helpful, good or bad.
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